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Shopping for Shofars: The Ultimate Buying Guide for Jews (and Evangelicals, Too)

Image by Etsy

By Lilly Maier September 29, 2016

As we prepare for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, shofars are blown in synagogues daily to mark the run-up to the High Holy Days. But what about yourself? Do you feel the need to toot your own horn?

Look no further, we have compiled a list of the best shofars you can buy online – from the cheap to the high-end, from artful to eclectic. And if animal horn smell turns you off, check out this shofar anti-odor spray.)

The Rebbe

Image by Etsy

This beauty looks like t’s taken straight from “Sound of Music,” but it actually depicts a Lubavitcher rebbe. Produced in a shofar’s factory in Rishon Lezion, the artwork on it was painted by an Israeli Jew who was born in Siberia.

How much: $ 119 Buy Where: Etsy

The cheapie

Image by Amazon

The cheapest shofar we could find was this 10” – 12” polished ram horn on Amazon. It comes in light brown with black and brown streaks on its body. What a bargain!

How much: $ 15 Buy Where: Amazon

For your evangelical friends

Image by The Shofar Man

Jews are not the only ones who like a good shofar. They are a big hit among Christian evangelicals as well. Militia groups have a special fondness for them. This ram horn features the two phrases “Jesus is Lord” and “Lion of Judah” and comes equipped with an embroidered velvet shofar bag.

How much: $ 499a Buy Where: The Shofar Man

The perfect pair

Image by Shofar So Great

Why blow only one shofar when you can blow two? Shofar so Great – a company started by a former Gatorade executive – produces high end shofars that can run into the $3,000 segment. These assorted jumbo triple twist yemenite shofars come in pairs that are matched in size, shape, color, texture and sound; one right-handed and one left-handed.

How much: Starting at $ 600 for a pair Buy Where: Schofar So Great

Shiny!

Image by Etsy

This Sterling silver plated Yemenite kudu shofar boasts a 3D relief of old Jerusalem. The letters and little details are made with 18 karat gold. It is meant for professional use and according to the Isreali factory that produced it, it was checked twice to make sure it has a great sound and conforms to all kosher standards.

How much: $ 299 Buy Where: Etsy

Pricey!

Image by Amazon

This creation by an Israeli artist includes a full-color depiction of the Six Days of Creation on its body and has scrollwork at the bottom. The images on the Shofar begin at the top with the first day and ends with Shabbat’s image of Candlesticks and a Challah at the bottom. The images in between the first day of creation and Shabbat feature the sun and moon, birds, animals and the division of light and darkness.

How much: $1,678 Buy Where: Amazon

YUMMY

Image by Etsy

All that blowing is hard work. So don’t forget this shofar candy mold; the finished, delicious product will read “Happy New Year.” If you’re really crafty, you can use it for soap and candles, too.

How much: $ 1.99 Buy Where: Etsy

Lilly Maier is a news intern at the Forward. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @lillymmaier

Lilly Maier is a news intern at the Forward. She is a graduate journalism student at New York University, where she studies as a Fulbright scholar. She also holds a B.A. in Jewish history from the University of Munich. Contact Lilly at [email protected], read her portfolio, or follow her on Twitter.

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